Keir Starmer should demand probe into 'sexist' GMB union, workers urge

Sir Keir Starmer must demand an investigation into 'toxic' allegations that women are being bullied and harassed in his union, former female workers said yesterday.

The equalities watchdog, which previously investigated Labour's anti-Semitism scandal, should examine claims the GMB is run like an 'old men's club' where women are often mistreated, they said.

And the Prime Minister, who is one the union's over 500,000 members, should quit if the GMB refuses to allow the investigation, they alleged.

The calls came as MPs also hit out at a series of 'disturbing allegations' in the Mail investigation into the union, which donates more than £1million to Labour every year.

Ex officials described GMB as a 'viper's nest' which was 'riddled with sexism' and said workers' subs were being 'used like confetti' to fight complaints.

Anne Chandler, a former official who claimed she quit early in 2022 following 25 years service after witnessing 'bullying and harassment throughout the organisation' said Sir Keir should '100 per cent' demand an investigation by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).

'As a former human rights lawyer and a current GMB member the Prime Minister should lead the way in calling for this badly needed probe to throw light on what's happening.'

Another female union worker, who asked to remain anonymous because of fears of repercussions, said: 'If the GMB genuinely has nothing to hide it should have nothing to fear from the EHRC coming in.

'This would be the only way anyone can have any confidence that everything is OK.

'The EHRC could be able look at the whole situation, not just individual cases, and give an overview of what is really going on.

'That's what happened with the Labour party over anti-Semitism.

'Keir Starmer said he learned lessons from the EHRC investigation and report into anti-Semitism, so he clearly thinks it's a good institution.

'He'd be a hypocrite if he didn't want the same oversight of the GMB, given these extremely serious allegations.'

Responding to our expose, Rosie Duffield MP, who quit Labour in September having previously clashed with the prime minister on gender issues, tweeted: 'Really glad I left this toxic union when they made their position on women's rights clear.'

And veteran Labour MP Diane Abbott said: 'These would be very disturbing allegations in any workplace.

'The reported incidents are completely unacceptable in the labour movement.'

An EHRC report into anti-Semitism in Labour in October 2020 found the party to be responsible for 'unlawful' acts of harassment and discrimination during Jeremy Corbyn's four-and a-half years as party leader.

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EXCLUSIVE
Boss of Keir Starmer's 'viper's nest' union - the GMB - is accused of bullying female staffers

Sir Keir, who was by then Opposition Leader, said at the time the party would implement all the report's recommendations and called it 'a day of shame for the Labour Party'.

Details of Sir Keir's membership of the GMB emerged in the list of ministers' interests published this month.

It's not clear why the former human rights lawyer joined the general industry union, but it is likely a nod to his late father's factory job as a tool-maker.

The GMB has said it 'categorically denies' claims of a bullying culture and does not recognise our union in the accounts of these former members of staff.

It says: 'We now have clear, comprehensive and transparent procedures to fully investigate and effectively deal with any allegation of bullying, sexism or harassment.'